Ava’s POV
The training ground was empty now.
Only my ragged breathing and the dull thud of my heartbeat filled the air. My whole body burned, my muscles trembling, sweat dripping from my temple down to my collarbone. I leaned against the wooden post we had been using to spar, trying to steady my legs.
Lucas’s words still clung to me, an echo I couldn’t erase.
That’s my girl.
Even now, hours or maybe just minutes, after he’d left, the phrase warmed me like fire licking under my skin. It shouldn’t have, I shouldn’t have let it but I couldn’t deny how it made my chest swell, how it made me feel seen.
I looked down at my hands, my knuckles were red, my skin torn in places from striking over and over but instead of shame, all I felt was pride.
These weren’t weak hands anymore.
You’re fi
